One day after the Nats salvaged their road trip with a 4-3 win over the Marlins, they pick right back up to begin a four-game set with the Phillies at Nationals Park. It will be a showdown of lefties as Gio Gonzalez (6-6, 3.56) will go up against Cliff Lee (4-5, 3.78).

Gonzalez will look to build off his last time out, an excellent start against the Reds in Cincinnati. Gio went seven innings with one run allowed on July 26, though the Nats lost that day 1-0.

Gio will make his 10th career start against the Phillies. The two-time All-Star is 5-3 with a 2.48 ERA vs. Philly in 58 total innings.

Lee will face the Nationals for the 13th time in his career. He is 6-4 with a 2.74 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 85 1/3 innings.

7:24 p.m. — Both Gonzalez and Lee are off to good starts with each getting out of the first in short order. Gio let up a single to Rollins, but nothing more. He threw 13 pitches while Lee needed 11.

7:36 p.m. — Gio got the Phillies out 1-2-3 in the second, and Lee got through the Nats in just nine pitches. Gio is at 29 pitches, Lee has thrown 20. Still 0-0 with the third up next.

7:57 p.m. — After Gonzalez escaped a mini-jam in the third – he allowed two singles – Lee has now been removed from the game. After throwing a pitch to Span, he immediately called for the training staff and quickly left with what appeared to be an arm injury. Antonio Bastardo is now pitching for the Phillies.

8:31 p.m. — The Phillies broke this game open in the top of the fourth and knocked Gio out of the game. They plated five runs, all charged as earned to Gonzalez. Byrd and Ruiz led off with singles before Sizemore doubled them home for the first two runs. The third came on a Dominic Brown groundball to Espinosa, who mistakenly threw home. That scored Sizemore. The fourth run was on a Revere single and the fifth was on an Utley groundball that should have been a double play. The ball went to Espinosa who flipped it to Desmond, but Desmond dropped the ball on the double play attempt. The bases were loaded and that allowed a run to score. Ross Detwiler is now pitching for the Nats while Mario Hollands has taken over for the Phils.

8:42 p.m. — The Nats struck back with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Rendon led off with a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Two batters later he was brought home by a Ramos single to center field. It’s now a 5-1 game.

9:05 p.m. — The Nationals added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth thanks to Span, who just continues to rake in the month of July. Harper and Frandsen led off with back-to-back singles and a pinch-hitting Scott Hairston was hit in the foot by a pitch to load the bases. Span then singled to right field to score Harper and Frandsen to make this a 5-3 game. Jerry Blevins will now take the mound to begin the sixth inning.

9:29 p.m. — The Phillies added two more runs in the sixth to make this a 7-3 game. The first came on an RBI single by Rollins to score Revere. Revere singled and moved to second on a wild pitch from Blevins before coming all the way home on Rollins’ line drive to left field. Rollins then stole second and third to set up a sacrifice fly by Utley for the second run. The Nats went down in order in the bottom half of the frame, and now Aaron Barrett will take over to pitch the seventh.

9:59 p.m. — The Nats cut into the Phillies lead once again with a run in the bottom of the seventh, but they could have had more. The run came on an Espinosa RBI single that scored Frandsen from third. Espinosa was then joined on base by Span who singled to allow Espinosa to reach third with one out. Rendon then lined out to right field on a ball that did not give Espinosa enough time to tag up and reach home, and Werth then struck out swinging. It’s a 7-4 game with Craig Stammen coming in to pitch for the Nats in the top of the eighth.

10:27 p.m. — Philly padded their lead with three more runs in the top of the eighth to go up 10-4. Byrd singled home two runs before Sizemore notched his second RBI hit of the evening. The Nats then went down 1-2-3 to take us to the ninth. Stammen will go back out there after his unfortunate eighth, his first appearance since July 22.

With Zimmerman out for the year, this helps some, but this team just doesn’t have the juice to win much of anything this year. Rizzo will continue to try to build the program. They needed something more via trade to have a legitimate shot. Cabrera isn’t it.

Fine with the move. Azdrubal should be able to consistently hit RHP better than Espy. Marginal upgrade, but we have up Walters who I’ve never been high on. He is an all power bat, high Ks, low OBP. Espy-Cabrera platoon?

Yep. Cabrera is about league average. So he’s far from a star and you’d be disappointed if you wanted a star. But, he’s a big upgrade on Espi. And he’s been a star in the past so that potential is there. We gave up quite literally nothing in Zack Walters, not to be harsh.

Eric - Jul 31, 2014 at 3:29 PM

So, what’s the general tendency as far as hitting success when moving from AL to NL?

How does Amaro explain standing pat? has to be the worst GM of all time. Needs to go and take private lessons from Ben Cherrington who is rebuilding the Red Sox on the fly. Whatch them be right back in the race next year.

“The Nationals tried to make more than one trade Thursday, according to a person familiar with the Nationals’ dealings. In the weeks leading up to the deadline, the Nationals focused on adding a relief pitcher. They made several offers to teams for a handful of relievers in the final minutes. They would have landed one, the person said, but they did not want to part with Class AAA Syracuse outfielder Steven Souza.” – Kilgore

Same as I said. Every deal was centering around demands to include Souza, Giolito or Cole or a combination.

Best trades are sometimes the ones you didn’t make.

davecydell - Jul 31, 2014 at 7:28 PM

The Nats still have Soriano, yes, Soriano.
Hope all concerned got my apology.
The Nats get a rent-a-player.
Not the few million but the loss of a first class prospect, forever, that may really matter.
Play Ball.

He is right that teams may overvalue prospects but they also downgrade MLB talent if they are old or have contracts either in $$$ or length. And, seriously downgrade MLB talent when it is all of the above. Phillies are going to hope that they can make some waiver wire trades or just let someone take on a contract. They could Uggla a few players but not many have the kind of deal that is easy to eat.

Gio is the least consistent of the 5 starters. He can be on or off, because he throws many more balls. Mac Catty as always come after 4 consecutive batters reach to start an inning. Not sure Antone in the infield bothered from what I could see.

You feel bad for Gio? 2 seeing eye hits and he gets the bottom of the order and gets the lefty/lefty on Grady Sizemore. Grady Sizemore up until that hit was hitting lefties at .182 Gio had the matchup but went on nibble nibble like he was pitching scared.

You feel bad for Gio?

manassasnatsfan - Jul 31, 2014 at 8:29 PM

Agreed, Gio through kerosine on a fire that started with bad luck. No pity from me.

Now let’s tie the thing up and bail him out.

What did he do different tonight then Saturday. Learn from it. Don’t repeat errors, repeat what works.

The double shouldn’t have scored 2 runs. That was really the only bad pitch of the entire inning and he’s down 5-0.

manassasnatsfan - Jul 31, 2014 at 8:44 PM

But it was the most important pitch of the inning.

Joe Seamhead - Jul 31, 2014 at 8:33 PM

Yeah, and I don’t feel the need to apologize for it. He had a tough night, but I thought his team played pretty crappy behind him. I’m with David on this one, but I also think that the Nats can come back and beat theses bums.

I don’t think Gio is mentally strong. I think JZimm and Fister and even Roark have the mental stuff. I see Gio being left off playoff rosters and dangled for future trades. I like the kid a lot so it’s too bad. We need to beat last place teams and stop playing afraid!

I certainly hope the domination continues. We caught a lucky break with C Lee throwing a 1 hitter before the injury, now let’s go score some frickin’ runs! We have to take 3 of 4 to continue our domination right?

manassasnatsfan - Jul 31, 2014 at 8:41 PM

He throws things in the dugout, why didn’t he use that energy for pitching, not nibble.

Lousy is the key word. If they do manage to win this division it will be because of the mediocrity in this league. I’m sorry but winning a division with a record like 84 and 78 is not impressive to me. 2012 was REALLY impressive.

yes, but it was an upgrade over our current starting second baseman…not the cadillac Beltre upgrade, but sometimes you only can get a Chevy.
I agree there were better 2bman available but am unsure of the cost that the Yanks and others paid. I don’t know, did the yanks give up a lot for Headley ?

Espi is just having a 100% bad game tonight. If you call your own bunt play, don’t start running before you hit it. The throw home? The bad flip to 2nd I can sort of forgive him since Desi was moving towards the bag. But, a stinker. I can’t help but wonder if getting 2 hours last night got into his head. Lots of room in there…

I was ok losing 5. To 3. But this is just pathetic managing. I can’t believe how much MW has held this team back. I thought the final audition for Barrett and Blevins was the other night. And they failed. You stink MW. You really do. Give Buck Showalter this team and we are 7 games up.

I don’t understand how you complain about pitcher choice when your starter goes 3 2/3. You can’t use everyone. That inning was a favorable matchup. You can’t use Barrett because lefties kill him. You need Stammen and Treinan if it goes to extras.

If you can’t use Blevins there, then he needs to be off the team. Which is where I stand. Get rid of him.

I always thought that Davey used to run the same overmatched guys out again and again to tell Rizzo “I’ll keep using this guy in this role until you get me someone better.” Maybe that’s what Williams is doing, too, but I’d be surprised.

It’s not uncalled for to question his decisions, his demeanor, or his managerial skills. What’s the upside he brings to the table, apart from an apparently unmerited reputation for toughness and energy?

manassasnatsfan - Jul 31, 2014 at 9:49 PM

I was sure Stammen would pitch the 6th and brings in Blevins. I complained the minute I heard that in the car.

Is Stammen no longer on the team? 9 days no okay, while bullpen suffers, that I question

Joe Seamhead - Jul 31, 2014 at 9:37 PM

Doesn’t Blevins have a sore fingernail, or maybe an ingrown toenail, or some thing to put him on the DL?

I do believe that MW overall has done a fine job… I’ve disagreed with him a few times and made it known.. I don’t think the name calling is productive at all, but i do think it’s fair to start when he makes some interesting decisions…

But yeah, I agree as far as the BP… Rizzo has got to do something about the BP…

manassasnatsfan - Jul 31, 2014 at 9:35 PM

I was out running my nightly locking my church duty. Missed seeing Blevins, Was he as pathetic as Dave made him out to be?

t hating, just want to know. Is Craig Stammen PNG (persona non grada) hasn’t played in 9 days. Why did he not pitch the 6th.

Rizzo needs to DFA or waiver Blevins, and keep Trainen up.

Joe Seamhead - Jul 31, 2014 at 9:41 PM

I’m with Ghost regarding the Matt Williams hate. He has managed an infirmary team to first place. He’s not perfect like some of the “complet” genius types on here, but he has done ok with the team he has had to work with.

Well said. Man, I knocked him hard for some real bad in-game decisions just like yesterday when he didn’t pull Hairston quicker for a pinch-runner but he’s not making fatal decision even though some thought keeping Sori in was as he later explained he didn’t have Clip available.

I just wonder what Randy Knorr is doing while in-game decisions need to be made.

I think if I was in the dugout instead of a comfy chair I probably make the same mistake.

I expect Knorr to get in his ear and he just doesn’t. That’s why some of these managers have lifers who are 60 years old sitting in the dugout because they’ve seen it all and the game moves slowly for them.

Everyone thinks they can manage better, but don’t think through all the ramifications. They just see the results. Gio went 3.2 innings. At some point, in all likelihood, Blevins was going to have to pitch a full inning. L, L, S, L is the time to do it. If you can’t use him there, take it up with Mike Rizzo.

Yes. But for every time a fan is correct, there are ten times fans are wrong. But we don’t remember those.

Section 222 - Jul 31, 2014 at 10:05 PM

Totally agree with you. Unless you’ve decided never to use Blevins again, you have to bring him in when you have matchups like that. After the fact, it’s pretty easy to conclude that he was wrong to bring in a pitcher who gets roughed up. Lots of folks here specialize in brilliant post hoc managing. It’s not hard.

So After Monday most wanted Storen to close. He did and it was pretty ugly. Tonight we clear the milk carton and all get our wish with Stammen. And guess what it’s pretty ugly. What now? Bullpen really stinks lately.

manassasnatsfan - Jul 31, 2014 at 10:16 PM

This week they been poor, but even the weeks they have been great you were bitching, so its hard to take much validity from your complaints because you are always negative.

Being able to compete with elite teams is my goal. The Nats can’t. Check that record against the NL central and against the Os and against the As…. And against the Braves. You love stats and records. Go check it out.

manassasnatsfan - Jul 31, 2014 at 10:26 PM

I look at the standings we have 3 less losses then Braves. That is what matters. Once in the postseason you play who you play. The best record over all rarely wins the world Series

None of these guys are as bad as Henry Rodriguez but its nearly as obvious you have to cut your losses with Blevins. Not sure about Stammen yet but his slider is his bread and butter and if that isn’t sliding, it’s BP. He hasn’t been good for a month and really hasn’t stepped up in a long time in Hi Lev spots.

senators69 - Jul 31, 2014 at 10:33 PM

My man Henry!
Per Wikipedia here is the latest on good ole Henry:

“Rodríguez signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox on June 13, 2014. He was released a month later after walking 8 batters in less than 2 innings for the Triple A Charlotte Knights.”

On a side note, I think we are going to learn a lot about Mike Trout the next two months. He has never played in a pennant race before. It isn’t automatic that he will maintain his extraordinary level of production.